Jim Lee

Chairman

Jim Lee is a business founder and owner of several educational companies and schools. He has long-standing commitments to helping the people of Arizona, especially regarding education. His companies serve thousands of students and families annually. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Graduation Solutions (a dropout recovery provider and Educational Management Organization), Smart Schools (a private school educating adult learners nationwide and internationally), Lumos Arts Academy (a private K-12 arts school located in Mesa, Arizona); and Students First Foundation (an Arizona school tuition organization).  

He is an Arizona native and believes there isn’t a “one size fits all” when it comes to education. His company Graduation Solutions is an accredited educational management organization that services charter schools and districts by running their dropout recovery programs. They also provide the staffing and educational program for the private schools they operate. Jim supports private education and he and his companies have tangibly provided for their growth in Arizona. He is also actively involved in the operation of all the educational programs his companies provide.

Jeremiah Lee

Board Director

Jeremiah Lee, CPA is a current board member of Students First Foundation and has been since 2017. He is an Arizona native and is currently the Executive Director of Strategy at Graduation Solutions; he also serves on the Smart Schools board of directors. He has undergraduate degrees in History and Accounting from Nebraska Wesleyan University, a Master of Divinity from Grand Canyon University, and is currently pursuing his MBA. Jeremiah's hope is to revolutionize education by providing private education to every family and student who wants a high-quality, moral, and localized approach to education. His hope is currently in process through the efforts of Students First Foundation in Arizona.

David Farago

Director of Strategic Initiatives

David earned his Masters Degree in Management and Leadership in 2016. He has worked in capacity as a teacher, mentor, program coordinator, and Director. He has served as Director of Students First Foundation for 7 years. He was instrumental in creating and promoting the program in its first years, presenting more than $620,000 in scholarships during that time. He is driven by assisting students of all ages and all backgrounds to find the right educational opportunities for them. Beyond his professional life, David enjoys spending time with his family, his menagerie of animals, and the outdoors.

Kimberly Bey

Director of Students First Foundation

Kimberly holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Bowling Green State University and a Master's degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University. Her career reflects a deep commitment to education and community service, having worked as a high school teacher, an adjunct professor, and a HUB Manager before stepping into her current role as Strategic Programs Manager and Director of the Students First Foundation. With a genuine passion for helping others, Kimberly dedicates her time to ensuring that students from all backgrounds receive quality education tailored to their individual needs. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, working out, and cherishing moments with her two children, mother, and extended family and friends.